Texas football is one of the final four teams left in the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year. A national championship is in sight — but a very strong roster stands in their way.
Texas will face Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday as an underdog for the first time since their win over Alabama in 2023. The Buckeyes have NFL talent in spades; some will be drafted this year and others are simply waiting to become eligible to turn pro.
BUY TICKETS TO WATCH UT AT THE COTTON BOWL
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard is a Kansas State transfer who did not fare well against Texas in the Big 12. However, the Buckeyes’ receiving core of Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate have allowed the senior to blossom into one of college football’s best throwers. Texas has the Jim Thorpe Award winner in Jahdae Barron with standout safeties Michael Taaffe and Andrew Mukuba, but they haven’t seen this caliber of weapons.
On the other side of the ball, quarterback Quinn Ewers will have to deal with a balanced defense that features a strong defensive line led by JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer. Safety Caleb Downs, an Alabama transfer, has had an outstanding sophomore season while leading the secondary.
More:Texas football’s Quinn Ewers vs Ohio State’s Will Howard: which QB gets the edge? | Golden
Texas’ rushing attack was unable to muster much against Arizona State. Running backs Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue will need to bring their A-game to diversify an offense that leaned heavily on Ewers’ arm against Arizona State.
Here are predictions from ESPN, CBS and other outlets for the Cotton Bowl:
Austin American-Statesman
Danny Davis: Texas. Both Texas and Ohio State have great defenses and offensive standouts, so this is a coin flip for me. The Longhorns will shock the world and Vegas oddsmakers. Not by winning (a No. 5 seed beating a No. 8 seed is not an upset), but by making a play on special teams to secure a trip to the national championship game.
David Eckert: Ohio State 31, Texas 24. Ohio State is the more balanced team in this matchup, and that’ll be the reason the Buckeyes leave Arlington with a victory. Texas has leaned on its dominant defense to compensate for an underperforming and mistake-prone offense and misfiring special teams unit, but that hasn’t been enough in the only two games the Longhorns have played against a team with comparable athleticism and size.
Caleb Yum: Ohio State 37, Texas 35. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers carries the offense against a strong Ohio State defense, but it’s not enough. The Buckeyes squeeze out a close win as the Longhorns’ defense is finally overwhelmed by a superior roster.
CBS Sports
CBS’ staff chose Ohio State as the straight-up winner.
Dennis Dodd: Ohio State
Tom Fornelli: Ohio State
Shehan Jeyarajah: Ohio State
Richard Johnson: Ohio State
Brandon Marcello: Ohio State
Chip Patterson: Ohio State
Jerry Palm: Ohio State
They also chose the Buckeyes to cover the spread.
Dennis Dodd: Ohio State
Tom Fornelli: Ohio State
Shehan Jeyarajah: Ohio State
Richard Johnson: Ohio State
Brandon Marcello: Ohio State
Chip Patterson: Ohio State
Jerry Palm: Ohio State
ESPN
ESPN’s College Football Power Index predictor gives Ohio State a 54% chance of beating Texas on Friday. It favors the Buckeyes by 1.3 points.
Texas vs Ohio State predictions, picks, betting odds
Odds courtesy of Bet MGM as of Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Ohio State is favored by 6 points.
- Spread: Ohio State by 6
- Over/under: 53½
- Moneyline: Ohio State (-225), Texas (+185)
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